Olay "7-in-1 Anti-Ageing" Total Effects Masks

Even though I'm only 30 & have pretty good skin for my age, I still hop at the chance to try the latest anti-aging products brought out by the various companies. 

And after all, prevention is better than cure, right!?

These guys are stretching cloth masks from Olays' "Total effects" range that claims to

1. Minimise wrinkles & fine lines

2. Intensely hydrate the skin

3. Improve skin tone

4. Gently exfoliate & smooth the skin 

5. Refine pores

6. Brighten the complexion 

7. Reduce age-spots

Well each of those 7 claims sound awesome to me so I was well eager to try it out!!

Firstly, you look like an alien or an extra from 'Halloween' with the Mask on your face.....

Pretty terrifying! 0_o

The cloth mask is soaked in a super hydrating liquid-y/cream formula which is sealed in the strong, individually wrapped packages. There are 5 in the box.

After cleansing your face and securing your hair back off your face, you apply the wet mask to your skin. I don't think it matters whether your face is wet or dry at this stage. The mask can be stretched to fit your face size & shape. I didn't need to stretch mine at all thanks to my little pea head :)

Then you relax with the mask on for 15 minutes while you let it do it's magic!!

When you take off the mask, there is no need to rinse the lotion off, but rather you can message the residue left over into your skin as a leave in intensive moisturising treatment. Bonus!

I can't say much about the tone improving claim (age & sun spots etc) as this is an accumulative thing and I imagine would require more than the 3 masks I've tried so far, but the formula so so drenching that it thoroughly softens the skin, softening the dehydration & fine lines on my skin almost immediately which is always good to see. The exfoliation thing I imagine would also be accumulative.

It contains the ingredient Niacinamide, which is supposed to be all kinds of awesome to the face and skin, as shown below in a paragraph taken from http://www.cosmeticscop.com

 niacinamide

Categories: 

Cell-Communicating Ingredients, Vitamins, Anti-Irritants

Also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinic acid, niacinamide is a potent cell-communicating ingredient that offers multiple benefits for aging skin. Assuming skin is being protected from sun exposure, niacinamide can improve skin's elasticity, dramatically enhance its barrier function, help erase discolorations, and revive skin's healthy tone and texture.

Topically applied niacinamide has been shown to increase ceramide and free fatty acid levels in skin, prevent skin from losing water content, and stimulate microcirculation in the dermis. It also has a growing reputation for being able to treat an uneven skin tone and to mitigate acne and the red marks it leaves behind (known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). It is an excellent ingredient for those struggling with wrinkles and breakouts. Niacinamide is stable in the presence of heat and light.

Definitely worth a try anyhow if the sound of it appeals to your own skins' needs!

And well worth looking as silly as you do wearing the mask too :)

Til next post,

Siobhán.

xx